Inside the New Roadster Cockpit

Tesla has provided its most detailed glimpse yet into the digital cabin of its upcoming electric sports car.

A brief video shared on social media on Friday afternoon offers a walkthrough of the vehicle's central touchscreen. The company described the design philosophy as being inspired by fighter jet cockpits, stating that the interface is built around the pilot rather than traditional automotive standards. The clip begins with a black screen featuring red graphics and a 3D wireframe of the vehicle situated next to its square yoke steering wheel.

The video highlights specific control functions accessible through the display. Tapping different sections of the wireframe reveals controls for the rear wing, allowing drivers to select between low drag and high downforce positions. A charging page is also visible, featuring a charge limit bar and a compact music player. A row of navigation tabs along the bottom of the screen includes Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate.

The majority of the footage focuses on the car's Track Mode, which appears to be a core feature of the driving experience. The dashboard displays a live map of the circuit, a log of session lap times, and real-time data for brake and motor temperatures. Additionally, the system provides pressure and temperature readouts for each individual tire. A dedicated setup page allows the driver to select from Auto, Low Drag, High Downforce, or Custom aero modes. Users can also adjust aero and brake balance, as well as switch stability and traction control systems on or off.

A key element of the interface is a status bar that reads “Thruster · 5,500 PSI” alongside a “Boost Ready” indicator. This software component directly links to the hardware Tesla unveiled near Waco, Texas, in October. The Thrust and Rocket variants utilize cold gas thrusters powered by carbon-wrapped pressure vessels. Tesla claims these versions achieve 0 to 60 mph acceleration times of under 0.9 seconds and under 0.59 seconds, respectively. The base Performance model, by contrast, relies on a fan and ground sealing system for grip, aligning with the active wing and suction technology previously discussed.

The Roadster’s user interface marks a significant departure from the company's other models. Unlike the Model 3 or Model Y, which center their home screens on a map, the Roadster places a representation of the car itself at the center of the display. Tesla’s official page for the vehicle lists two smaller forward-facing displays in addition to the main touchscreen. The company has not yet confirmed whether the detailed telemetry found in Track Mode will be adapted for other performance vehicles in its lineup.

While the interface is now visible, final software changes are possible before customers receive their vehicles. Elon Musk stated at a recent event that production of the Roadster is scheduled to begin in 2028. Tesla has noted that the top-tier Rocket version is not approved for public road use, positioning it as a track-focused machine. Reservations are currently open with a $50,000 deposit, with the Thrust model listed as a limited release and the Rocket version available only by invitation.

Enthusiasts will have their first opportunity to see the physical vehicle this weekend. The Roadster is scheduled to be displayed in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from October 24 to 27. According to Sawyer Merritt, this exhibition will be the first time the general public can view the car up close.